On Their Own: Creating an Independent Future for Your Adult Child With Learning Disabilities and ADHD: A Family Guide [Hardcover]

Anne Ford (Author), John-Richard Thompson (Author), Sally Shaywitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 23, 2007

An indispensable guide to the special challenges faced by parents of learning-disabled children as they enter adulthood, by the author of Laughing Allegra, a leading activist and parent of an adult child with LD.

In 2003 Anne Ford (great-granddaughter of Henry Ford) published Laughing Allegra, about the struggles of raising her learning-disabled daughter, and received a flood of letters from parents of children with LD, ADD, and ADHD, many expressing concerns about what to do as their children age.

On Their Own is an invaluable road map to ease these parents' fears and answer their questions, especially the one that haunts them daily: Will or can their child be on their own, and how? In a candid, sympathetic style, laced with real-life stories, the book covers such topics as:
• Social skills and dating
• Staying healthy
• Sibling relationships
• Interaction with employers and co-workers
• Job hunting
• Finding the right college or trade school
• Estate planning

Also included are a comprehensive resource guide and exclusive interviews with prominent professionals who have surmounted their learning disabilities: CEO's Sir Richard Branson, John Chambers, David Neeleman, and Charles Schwab, and former governor Gaston Caperton.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A remarkably helpful book for families dealing with the impact of LD as their children move up and out." —James Wendorf, Executive Director, National Center for Learning Disabilities

"A wise, warm, witty roadmap that will enrich the life of every parent of an adult child with learning disabilities." —Joseph A. Califano, JR., Chairman and President, National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse

"A wonderful companion to Laughing Allegra. These books should be required reading for teachers as well." —Joel Klein, Chancellor, New York City Department of Education

"Anne Ford is the perfect guide to help us see our children through the transitions they will meet throughout life." —Henry Winkler, author of the Hank Zipzer children's books

"Answers every question you might have about people with dyslexia and ADHD. I could not recommend this book more highly." —Edward Hallowell, M.D., author of Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction

"Filled with personal insights, tough observations, and important resources." —Ann Kornblet, advocate for people with LD

"Honest, full of hope. Guides the reader with the heart of a devoted parent and the wisdom of personal experience." —Emerson Dickman, J.D., President, International Dyslexia Association

About the Author

Anne Ford's previous books are the acclaimed memoir Laughing Allegra, about raising her severely learning-disabled daughter, and On Their Own: Creating an Independent Future for Your Adult Child with Learning Disabilities and ADHD. She served as Chairman of the Board of the National Center for Learning Disabilities from 1989 to 2001. The daughter of Henry Ford II, she lives in New York City and lectures widely on LD and ADHD issues.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (April 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557047596
• ISBN-13: 978-1557047595
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #852,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just another self help book., May 7, 2007

By 

A. Uzielli - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On Their Own: Creating an Independent Future for Your Adult Child With Learning Disabilities and ADHD: A Family Guide (Hardcover)

I was worried that I would be bored by all the language specific jargon so commonly used by professionals in books like these, but the insight and personal account of dealing with learning disabled adults kept me totally engrossed for the entire book. I wish more books about dealing with disabilities were written with such a human voice.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On Their Own by Anne Ford, May 7, 2007

By 

James J. Cummings - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On Their Own: Creating an Independent Future for Your Adult Child With Learning Disabilities and ADHD: A Family Guide (Hardcover)

This is the book every parent of an adult child with LD should read, especially in those times when you feel so hopeless and that no one truly knows what you are going through. As the parent of an adult son with learning disabilities I can honestly say that On Their Own has changed the way I think about my son and his future. Most of all it has given me hope that he has a future at all! The book helped us see the whole person with all their strengths and weaknesses. Nothing is sugar-coated here, and parents of adults with LD will find many points where'll they'll nod in agreement and realize that yes, after all someone truly does understand what we are going through. I absolutely loved Anne Ford's previous book Laughing Allegra. In that book, I felt she spoke to me personally as we followed her step by step while raising a child with LD. On Their Own continues the story, but it is a much more hands-on approach and with a great deal of practical information. Even so, I found it as readable as Laughing Allegra, with many insights and anecdotes that separate it from so many other dry academic books in this field. Parents of adult children with any disability will benefit greatly from On Their Own

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended read for LD parents, December 23, 2008

By 

Amy Jacobson "Inquiring mind" (Encino, ca. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: On Their Own: Creating an Independent Future for Your Adult Child With Learning Disabilities and ADHD: A Family Guide (Hardcover)

I can't say enough about how informative this book is for parents of LD kids who are just about to turn 18. A great source of info that is hard to find. Her other book, "Laughing Allegra", is also an incredible read for those with younger kids, especially those who live in New York.